Look, Father, look!
Wait, Lynne!

　In the late afternoon, as I was finishing up the work Kosaka-san sent me to do and drinking tea on the balcony, two people, Lynne and Erna, came running in from the back of the room.
　Both of them were dressed as maids instead of their usual clothes. What is it, what's going on?

'Well, it's cute!　It suits you!
Hmm. It's cute. It looks good on you.

　Yumina and Sue, who were with her, praise her unreservedly. Cute, you say?　There are no words to describe it!　If I had to put this feeling into words.

Hey, Otto, how's it going?　This,
It's so cute.

　d*mn, I sounded like a dumbass in return. Oh well. It's true. Oh, you mean the cute one. It's not the head part.

Hon. What happened to your clothes? Did Linse make it?
'Yes. I said I'd help Renee with her work and Lindsay's mom made it for me. With a whimper.

　Erna answered my question. I guess I made it in just a few minutes. I probably really made it in a few minutes. Linse's sewing skills are now on a godly level. No, though she is actually a god.
　But helping the maid, Rene?　Well, it's true that they're close in age, and it's not surprising that they get along....
　Is Renee now ten or was she eleven?

'It's weird working with Renee as a kid,'
Yeah. You're a different person.
Oh, really?

　I see, the Renee you two know is the Renee of a decade or so later. The appearance of the person before and after she passed the growth period is certainly different.

'Hmm, more of a personality...?　We know Renee, and she's the perfect maid. She's also our etiquette teacher.
What?　That Rene?

　Suu sounds surprised. She can't seem to believe in the future of her sister who was making her call her 'Soo-sister' and blowing her sisterly wind.
　Well, I understand how you feel. I can't believe that Rene, who I also called 'Brother Wintery Night', would become such a perfect maid.

"Renee-san can do everything. Her cooking, sewing, fighting and etiquette are all top-notch. She's a little too strict with us, though.
'I see. So that's why Renee's a teacher.

　Yumina nodded as if she was convinced.

''Linne was just pissed off because she often skipped out on her manners studies. Renee-san is very kind.''
Mmm.

　My sister 《Lynne》 puffs up at her sister 《Erna》's point of view. As we were easing ourselves into the smiling scene, the person in question opened the door of the room and appeared at the door.

The actuality of this is the fact that it's not the same as the other two.

　I told Rene that the two of them are my relatives. With the badge (although it's now a brooch) that has been granted [Mirage], they should look like normal kids. I told him to call us 'father' and 'mother' like it's an old nickname.

The head maid is waiting for you both. Let's get going, shall we?
Oh, no!　Come on, Erna, sister!
Yeah. Okay, moms and dads, we're off.
Oh, wait a minute. Let me take a picture!

　I called out to Linne and the others as they turned on their heels and started to run. How could I miss such a precious shot? I hurriedly take out my phone from my pocket.

I'm sure you're right. Renee-san, come in!
What?

　Erna and Rinne pull the astonished Renee closer to them without a second thought, and then solidify both sides. Yes, just like that.........
　I take a quick snap of the shutter. Yes, it's a good three shots, isn't it?

"Send that to me later!

　With that said, the three of them left the room in a hurry and flurry. It's like a whirlwind.

"That Renee is..... The flow of time changes a person's character.

　Sue sips her tea, looking deeply moved.

''Maybe that's part of it, but Renee is a serious, solid person by nature, and she's a hard worker. I think she had the makings of a top-notch maid.''

　It's often said that 'the environment makes the person', but that's because of the environment we're in. There are maids around who can be masters of their skills and fighting techniques. There are usually gods walking around, you know.
　I think Renee has received some kind of blessing from the gods. Like my uncle Kosuke. I've heard he often takes care of the fields with her.

'But I'm jealous........ Huh........I wonder when our children will come.......

　Yumina sighs deeply. It's the same with Yae that hasn't come, but Yae's child, Yakumo, has a few sightings. The only ones not captured at all are Yumina and Soo's children, the first and second children from the bottom of my children.

'No, sister Yumina. From the conversation between the children, there's a good chance they're already here.
'What?　Then why don't you come and see us!
'I don't know if you're asking me this, but.... Is there a reason you don't want to come, or are you involved in something...?

　What's the reason you don't want to come? Please don't say "I hate my father".

Fuyao-san, can't you get your memories from the children to look for them at 【Recall】?
''Hmmm, Grandma Tokie forbade me to do that........ She told me not to worry because all the kids will be here safely.

　【Recall】 is a spell to get the other party to give up their memories. As long as I use it to know their appearance, I guess I can use 【Search】 to search for the rest.

''One of me and Soo's kids is a boy, right? I think they've been so busy playing that they've forgotten to leave...''
Hmm. It's possible. But according to what Alice says, he is a sturdy man for his age. It's not like he was just playing around.
So you're in an extraordinarily bad way?
'You are Winter Night's son. That's quite possible........
Hey, hey.

　Don't be selfish. The child's mother is probably one of you in the first place.

Well, there's no point in thinking about it. We'll just have to wait.
'Yes. By the way, Fuyao-san, please give me that picture you took earlier.
Oh, the strawberries.
Okay.

　I sent the pictures I took earlier to both of them. I've been getting more pictures since the kids arrived. I'll send them to the app that shares the photos so everyone can see them too.

'Where are the other kids today?'
'Frey, as usual, is at the training ground with Hilda and Yae and the others. Aasia is also in the kitchen with Lou, preparing lunch. Yoshino and Kuhn are supposed to be in Babylon, though.

　I understand Coon, but is Yoshino in Babylon too?　What did you want to see me about?
　I was a little curious, so I decided to go too.
　I went to the workshop, thinking that Kuhn would be there, but surprisingly, Yoshino was there as well.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a great deal more information on this topic.

''Ah, Dad,''
What are you making?
It's a musical instrument. Here.

　Yoshino presented me with a small box to which several long, thin metal plates were attached. Is this a musical instrument?
　There was a hole in the middle, like a guitar, and the metal plates were arranged in a regular V shape. I think I've seen that somewhere....
　When I pushed the metal plate, it was quite hard and didn't make any sound. How do you play these?

Oh, don't push it. Don't push it, just pop it.
Play?

　When I played downward with the tips of my fingernails as I was told, I heard a clear tone. So this is how you make a sound.

It's a musical instrument called 'kalimba'. You don't know it?　I got this from my dad.
Oh, really?

　It wasn't me. I think he was told by future me. Kalimba?　I may or may not have heard of it.
　I took out my phone and connected it to the earth's internet and did a search. Ah, that's it.
　Kalimba. A musical instrument from Africa. It's also called a thumb piano or hand music box.... Certainly, the mechanism of sound is the same as that of a music box.
　Oh, I see. My grandpa's favorite band's vocalist used to use this instrument. I've seen live videos of him doing it a few times.

Does Yoshino make musical instruments too?
Yeah. I can do the easy stuff myself. For the more difficult ones, I'll ask my sister Kuhn to make them for me with [modeling]. I like to play instruments.

　Is that so?
　It seems that she also likes to sing just like her mother, Sakura, but if anything, Yoshino seems to prefer playing musical instruments. Hmm, is it because of the influence of Kanosuke's brother, the god of music?

What can you play?
Okay. I'll play it for you.

　I asked, and Yoshino began to play a tune on his kalimba.
　A slow, clear sound resonates, creating a beautiful melody. This song........is it Puffelberger's "Canon"?
　Johann Puffelberg's "Canon". It is actually the first piece of "Canons and Gigue for Three Violins and Bass continuo in D major".
　The "Canon" is the style of tracing the music played by the main voice one after another.
　Pavel's "Canon", also known as the "golden chord", was played by Yoshino's kalimba to create a simple yet beautiful melody, which resonated pleasantly.
　It's a splendid performance. How can you play it with just two small thumbs..........
　Suddenly I heard the sound of a flute coming from somewhere. Or rather, only one person would be doing this.
　When I lifted my gaze from Yoshino, as I expected, Kanasuke's brother had joined in the performance before I knew it. As usual, this God or human being is not shaky.....
　I quietly listen to the daughter from the future and the god of music playing together. Isn't this a very luxurious moment?
　 That was brilliant. It was a great performance.
　Not only me, but Kuhn and Rosetta from the 'workshop' who was listening beside me also applauded. Yeah, Coon, let's not applaud with armed gear, shall we?

Ehehe. I'm embarrassed.
No, no, no. Why? It was a great performance.

　I'll join you next time. A concert with my daughter this will be fun.
　I look up at Coon, still in his armed gear, and ask him.

'Can Coon play an instrument?'
A little bit. Your mother likes to listen to music too.

　It seems that some children are still interested in music and others are not so interested.
　Yakumo, Frey, Linne and others don't seem to be very interested in it.

''More importantly, father!　How about this!　It's the heavily armed gear 'Beowulf'!

　Kuhn moved the armed gear he wore as if he were proud of it.
　Large arms and thick legs. The rugged body of a power type. Combined with the petite Kuhn's body, it creates a strange imbalance.

"What do you plan to fight against........
Not yet, I'm afraid. But you can never be too many people.

　Hmmm, I wonder if he's considering fighting the Messenger of the Evil One in his own way. I'm a bad parent for making my child worry like this.
　As I was immersed in mild self-loathing, the phone in my pocket announced an incoming call.
　Hmm?　His Majesty King Felsen.

Yes, hello.
I'm sure you're not the only one. The magic train that we have completed in our home, I need you to take it out soon. To Belfast and Lefries.
'Oh, by the way I understand. I'll be right over.

　The world's first (in fact, it had already been built five thousand years ago, and there were similar ones on the Western Continent) magic trains, cars one and two, were to be built at Felsen and run between Belfast and Leafs.
　The tracks between the two countries had already been completed by the earth-attribute wizards, and all that remained was to wait for the cars to be delivered from Felsen.
　Naturally, I, who can use transition magic, was supposed to take care of it. Oh no, I had forgotten all about it in the recent commotion.
　I hung up King Felsen's phone and turned to face Kuhn and the others.

'I'm going to Felsen to pick up the magic train. I'm sure it won't take long, but lunch first...''

　As I was about to ask for a wording to be taken, he was right in front of me.　And the hand of a coon raised straight up. Or rather, Armed Gear's hand.

'Me too!　I wish I could go too, father!
'Yeah, but we're just bringing it in to Belfast and Leafy's, and we'll run it or something at a later date?
'That's okay!　I want to take a picture of a shiny, freshly grated magic train!

　Was my daughter a photographer? No, in her case, it's not limited to trains, I guess.
　Well, it's not like she's in the way, so it's okay.

What about the Yoshino?
'I need to adjust my pitch a bit more, so I'll pass. You should go with Koonee and her sister.

　I see. Apparently Yoshino is not interested in magic trains. Most girls are, right?

''Let's go then. ........Leave the armed gear behind, okay?
''Err......... I wanted to show off to His Majesty King Felsen....

　Don't do that. You'll get into a lot of trouble. His Majesty King Felsen will certainly be interested in you, but I'm sure that Queen Elysia will be too. I have my hands full with all the things I have going on right now, so we'll talk about it another time.
　I persuaded the reluctant Kuhn and we jumped at the [Gate] to the Felsen Magic Kingdom.


　　　　　　　　　　◇ ◇ ◇ ◇


　A week later. We were in Belfast's royal capital, ALEPHIS, to attend the opening of the magic train between Belfast and Leafs. We were there to attend the opening ceremony of the magic train between Belfast and Leafs.
　The test run has already been completed, and the two tracks that the magic train will run on are extending from inside the newly built station building.
　The line from this station, named Alephis Station, after the royal capital, to Bern Station, located in Bern, the imperial capital of Liefries.
　On the way, it stops at four cities and reaches the end of the line in a little over five hours.
　On the station platform, the first magic train, the "Line Bell", with its coaches linked together, is waiting for its departure.
　The overall body is white and silver with blue lines running through it. It has a slightly rounded shape and does not have a chimney like the SL. However, glittering ether residue was emitted from the spray holes on both sides of the body, just like steam.
　The sturdy-looking body of the train is reminiscent of a steam train that looks like it could have appeared in a steampunk movie. In reality, though, since it runs on magic batteries, it seems more like a train. And it's quiet, too.

'I mean, enough with the pictures, coon. How long do you think you're going to be taking pictures?
'One more second!　Because it's the best angle from this angle!

　I sighed deeply at my daughter, Koon, who was taking pictures of the magic train that was emitting ether residue. You took all those pictures the other day during the haul out..... I don't know what I'm going to do with the same picture so often.
　This opening ceremony was a commemorative event, and we were going to be there too.
　Normally it would have been just me and my wife Yumina and the rest of the team, but after a reluctant request, Coon and the others were allowed to ride along. And Alice, by the way. Ende was also on board as Alice's escort, but as an adventurer hired to protect the passengers.
　Dozens of people from Belfast, including Sue's father, the Duke of Ortlinde's family, as well as dozens of people from Belfast's noble and great merchant families, will be riding with their families from Belfast.
　So it wasn't just Kuhn, the children of the other nobles and merchant families were also excited to see the magic train for the first time.

''Ed-kun seems to be happy about it, too.

　In the arms of Duchess Ortlinde, Sue's mother, Ellen, who was sitting on a bench on the platform, Sue's younger brother, Edward, aka Ed, was chuckling at the magic train.

I'm sure you like magic trains, too. We're going to ride that one now.

　Sue holds Ed-kun's little hand. Linne and Alice looked at that Ed-kun as if they were peering at him.

'Wow~ Ed niichan is so cute~'
There's something weird about little Ed, isn't there?

　Duke Ortlinde twitches his head at the two men's remarks.

'Ed-nii-chan?'
Oh, Father!　I think it's time to get in, don't you?

　Sue waved the story to the duke as if she was in a hurry. Good heavens, and Linne and Alice slipped away from the spot and came over here.

''Totally.......be careful.
I'm sorry, I was just...
'Mr. Ed used to play with us a lot. There's something weird about being a kid.

　Although he was away in Belfast and Brunhild, our kids and future Ed, he used to play with them a lot.
　Well, he's Sue's brother, so he's an uncle to Sue's kids, and he's an uncle to the other kids. It's no wonder they play with him.
　I see the Belfast people are starting to get into the carriage. It's almost time to leave.
　We'll take our turn getting on the train. Our carriage is the first carriage.
　It's not an automatic door, so the station attendant locks it from the outside after the last of us gets on. The door cannot be opened from the inside. Of course, in an emergency, the door can be opened by pulling the handle on the inner door.

'Wow, it's beautiful!'

　Else looked at the interior of the car and exclaimed in surprise. The inside of the first car was so spacious that one would think it was a salon. There was a fluffy carpet underfoot, plush sofas lined up on either side, and skylights and magic stone lights lined the ceiling. There were even drinks in the corner of the car, including wine and fruit water.
　This first car was a VIP car, so to speak, used mainly by royalty and nobility. It is equipped with a variety of features for a comfortable journey. It is also air-conditioned.
　Children kneel on the plush sofas and look out the windowpanes at the platform.
　A whistle sound was heard on the platform with a piercing sound, and the magic train vibrated softly. The magic battery set the magic motor in motion and the wheels of the locomotive began to spin.

''It's moving!''

　With a glimmer of etheric residue, the "Rhinebell" drove slowly toward the reef lease.
　The view of the car window drifted by. Less vibration, less noise. It's a different ride than the trains I've known.
　The tracks to Leafy's are built like a viaduct, a few meters above the ground. It's a task that would take months to build on earth, but it's convenient because it can be done quickly with earth magic. I helped with part of it too. Like the part of the bridge over the river, and the strengthening magic to finish it.
　So the view is great. After a while after leaving Alephis, I could see a vast plain spread out. It should be all woods and plains ahead.
　Although the scenery was similar to ours, the children were attracted to the scenery, and they were hanging on to the window sill. I remember the same thing when I was a kid.

Fuyao-san, would you like something to drink?
Yeah, I'll take it then.

　Yumina brought me a glass and a drink.
　Well, I guess we'll enjoy this short trip too.